If the motorsport season is over all too soon once the last F1 race takes place at the end of November then fear not – the Race of Champions will be staging its eighth annual event to keep things going just that little bit longer.

Four-time Formula One World Champion Alain Prost is due to make his debut at the Race of Champions this year, according to organisers, who announced his presence at the event’s official launch yesterday.

You wouldn’t have wanted to bet against Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel going into this year’s Race of Champions and, sure enough, the pair have pulled off their third straight win in the Nations Cup in as many years.

David Coulthard will be back behind the wheel of a race car in November when he joins Formula One World Champion Jenson Button and three-time World Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx in Beijing for the Race of Champions.

What will Jenson Button be doing on November 2 this year? Will he be celebrating a close-fought victory in the Formula One drivers’ championship? Or rueing the missed opportunities that cost him his first title?

If you want to see serious wheel to wheel racing, go to Silverstone. If you want a fun day out, and to see (and hear) lots of different cars piloted by different drivers, then the Race of Champions is excellent value.